The Relevance of Islamic Identity in Canada: Culture, Politics, and Selfedited by Nurjehan Aziz

The Relevance of Islamic Identity in Canada

This volume examines, from diverse perspectives, what it means to be a Muslim in Canada. Is it a public or a private identity, and as an identity is it compatible with a secular democracy such as Canada? What relation does it bear to historical, cultural, and ethnic identities? Is a total agnostic or an atheist a Muslim? Is a person who disavows being a Muslim still a Muslim? How do Muslims cope with anti-Muslim bigotry, especially when it goes “official”? What alterations in social and religious practice and what re-thinking of interpretation can one expect in its evolution? These vital questions of faith, culture, survival, and identity are addressed by prominent members of the Canadian cultural and intellectual community. The results are illuminating, sometimes surprising and sometimes–as in the recent niqab hysteria–deeply disturbing.

These vital questions of faith, culture, and identity are addressed by prominent members of the Canadian cultural and intellectual community.

“[F]or the sake of future generations, that close encounter with hate deserves careful analysis through the essays contained in this volume which was conceived and compiled during a critical time for Muslims in Canada.”
–Saima S Hussain, Dawn

“These pieces are representative of a refreshing collection that does not present a singular, uniform Islamic identity. Rather, The Relevance of Islamic Identity in Canada sincerely vocalizes the tensions and challenges faced on a daily basis by Muslims living in Canada . . . What it reveals is that Islamic identity is a journey, one that every Muslim navigates by themself.”
—Herizons

“[A]n enlightening, unsettling, open-ended book, a testament to the resilience and candour of Canadian Muslims.”
–Carol Goar, The Toronto Star

Nurjehan Aziz is the editor of Her Mother’s Ashes: Stories by South Asian Women in Canada and the United States, The Relevance of Islamic Identity in Canada, and more recently Confluences 1 and Confluences 2. She is the publisher at Mawenzi House.

Social Media

Explore

Join our mailing list

Email Address

First Name

Last Name

Ordering from Mawenzi House

Mawenzi House books can be ordered directly from this site, from your favourite bookstore, retail website, or wholesaler. We guarantee availability of all titles currently in print when ordered through this website. Ebook orders will be sent to the e-mail address provided within one (1) business day once payment has been received. Pre-ordered titles will be shipped upon publication date.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, and Ontario Arts Council for our publishing activities.

A note from us on COVID-19

Due to health and safety concerns and the recommendations from public health officials, many of our authors’ upcoming events have been cancelled or postponed. Please be sure to join our list for the most up to date information.

In addition, please expect shipping delays for any orders made in the upcoming weeks. Our office is closed in the effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, so we may be unable to fulfil orders for the time being. We will still be fulfilling e-book orders as usual.